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NFL Draft 2013: Grading The Bengals Pick

By Michael Straw

November 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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November 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 24, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eifert (80) runs the ball against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

After two straight seasons of wild card berths, the Cincinnati Bengals are poised to make a run at the AFC North divisional title. That run began on Thursday night with the Bengals pick of tight end Tyler Eifert out of Notre Dame with the 21st overall selection.

Eifert is the all-time leader in receptions for a tight end with 140 career catches. He is sixth in school history in catches.

The pick gives the Bengals yet another offensive weapon for Andy Dalton. They will now be able to run a two tight end set with Eifert and Jermaine Gresham which should give Dalton a lot of short-to-medium targets which suits his skill set.

Of course the biggest beneficiary of this pick will be star receiver A.J. Green. Having Eifert is the fold will keep Green single covered which is a blessing for him and the Bengals. One-on-one, there are very few, if any, cornerbacks that can cover Green. The Bengals just got a lot better on the offensive side of the ball without having to trade up to do so.

A player they coveted fell into their laps, and Bengals fans should be ecstatic for what the future holds for this team on the field.

GRADE: A+

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